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Analysis: Stuart Commission could capitalize on momentum

STUART — Elections typically offer new leadership and, for better or worse, changes in the dynamics of local government.

But not so in Stuart, where Tuesday's unopposed elections of Troy McDonald and Eula Clarke, and the re-election of incumbent Tom Campenni, mean the same City Commission will remain in place for at least another year.

With this team, two long-stalled projects — development of the Triangle Property and development of city-owned land north of the St. Lucie River — could reach resolution. And, if the commission's recent behavior is any indicator, progress on other city-owned property, most notably City Hall, could remain in limbo.

The commission also is likely to continue hyper-focused on maintaining the balance between small-town charm and developing a more livable city.

Campenni said the city is in a good position to bring about this type of sustainable development.

'I want us to stay the way we are. I don't want us to develop into the South Florida model,' he said, 'but at the same time we do need more people.'

Campenni said that, looking back at his first term in office, he is most proud of his work on the Triangle Property. The wedge-shaped piece of city-owned land at Sailfish Circle — bordered by South Dixie Highway, Southwest Joan Jefferson Way and Southwest Albany Avenue — is to be developed with an approximately 150-unit apartment complex.

Campenni said he sees the Triangle Property as the 'genesis' of a new age of development.

'There hasn't been anything like this built in 12 years,' he said about the project, which he said, will bring an influx of new residents who could help spur the creation of new businesses. He's particularly proud of the project, he said, because it developed 'naturally,' with strong interest — and financial investment — from Delray Beach-based New Urban Communities.

That's not necessarily the case with the Northpoint Property, another piece of city land near Dixie Highway that faces downtown Stuart from across the St. Lucie River.

There, developer Julian Mandody has proposed, but not brought to fruition, a hotel and restaurant, but has balked at putting down a multimillion-dollar deposit to maintain a hold on the land.

Campenni previously has said the project is an unlikely for the property — along train tracks where Brightline passenger rail is to begin and Florida East Coast Railway freight traffic to increase in the coming years.

Moving City Hall — which sits on lucrative waterfront property — could be a beneficial project, but work on the long-discussed project would need to happen naturally, according to Campenni.

'If we could somehow develop the property and keep the park, then it could be fine,' he said about the surrounding public land. 'But it's the people's park, and there are buildable lots on the other side of the street.'

Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/09/02/analysis-stuart-commission-could-capitalize-on-momentum/89823944/